Grab the popcorn. Paragon Theaters’ second and newest Cary location opens July 1.
Three, two, one… action! The long-awaited Paragon Theaters at Fenton is finally opening on July 1—introducing first-of-its-kind standards for moviegoers, with a bar to boot (!).
Putting a spotlight on a reimagined moviegoing experience, the new theater will feature LuxBox luxury seating—aka oversized, zero-gravity heated recliners with retractable trays—and a custom-built screen projected using 4K technology with a 15-degree tilt, coupled with Dolby Atmos immersive sound. Paragon Theaters is also introducing industry-leading touchscreen technology on specialized kiosks for guests to custom order premium concessions, craft food and drinks, and more (meaning ordering nachos—or, heck, a burger or pizza—is as easy as a tap of a button). So, essentially, you’ll never be uncomfortable sitting through a two-hour movie again.
To celebrate the theater’s opening, Paragon is offering movie tickets for NBC Universal’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru starting at only $6 (“C’est banana!”). And on July 2, a Minions Mania Carnival will take over Fenton Square directly in front of the theater with live entertainment, races, games, food and more —plus the chance to meet a Minion yourself!
Post-flick or -carnival, The Agency Bar & Social keeps the fun going with an indoor/outdoor 100-foot bar offering chef-inspired dishes, craft cocktails and 24 beers on tap—NTM a wood grill-encased lounge area, fire pit and water feature, interactive bar games, and views of Fenton’s open-air plaza.
“The focus on cutting-edge design and our exceptional food and beverage lineup at Fenton aligns perfectly with the Paragon brand,” says Paragon Theaters co-CEO Mike Whalen. “During the shutdowns last year, we took time to consider the expectations of our guests post pandemic and are rolling out new amenities at Fenton based on those discussions.”
Say “bonjour” to Colletta’s just-announced executive chef, Oscar Gnapi! Hailing from Paris, Gnapi will join Indigo Road Hospitality Group’s Italian restaurant at Fenton (slated to open later this summer!) and bring with him 20-plus years of esteemed experience—with stints at restaurants and hotels in Paris, Italy, London, California, Chapel Hill and Cary——covering a diverse range of cuisines.
Photo by Miranda Mounts
“I was raised in Paris with a very large family and am from a culture where cooking was as valued as breathing air,” says Gnapi. For as long as he remembers, Gnapi has pursued the culinary arts. He boasts a degree in the culinary arts from the CEFAA in Villepinte, France, and formal training via an internship in Italy. Following his schooling, Gnapi worked across Europe at five-star hotels including George V in Paris and Le Meridien and SoHo House in London, and has worked with such renowned chefs as Michel Rostang, Daniel Boulud, Bruno Loubet, Pascal Even and Jean-Pierre Gagnaire, to name a few.
Gnapi came to North Carolina in 2007 to serve as the executive sous-chef on the opening team of An: New World Cuisine for three years, before serving as executive chef of La Residence in Chapel Hill in 2017 and at the Unscripted Hotel in 2018. Now, he’s bringing his knowledge of traditional European and Italian cuisine to Colletta.
Translating to “collection” in Italian, Colletta—which will be Indigo Road Hospitality Group’s third Triangle restaurant (joining DTR’s O-Ku and Oak Steakhouse)—will feature a compilation of dining experiences, with a focus on Italian-American dishes. Think pasta scratch-made in-house daily, antipasti, pizza and more, plus a “for the table” dining option curated for a family-style experience.
“I have such a love and appreciation for the culinary arts and have been lucky enough to learn from some of the most talented chefs of our time,” says Gnapi. “I’m excited to deliver a memorable experience at Colletta—a meal any Nonna would enjoy!” Bon appétit!
This darling little dinner spot is growing (!) with the addition of two new talented chefs at the helm—NC natives chef Elizabeth Murray, most recently of Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn; and pastry chef Tanya Matta, who boasts a celebrated background in the industry, from Atlanta’s Seeger’s to NYC’s Gramercy Tavern. Together, the pair have reimagined the Littler menu, with such additions as bluefin tuna crudo, housemade carrot cavatelli, Southern fish cassoulet and—for dessert—red currant mousse. Clearly, you’ll “littler-ly” need a “little” bit of everything.
Bootch, please. You’re gonna wanna chill with your scobies at this kombucha taproom offering a broad variety of “better not bitter” alcoholic (!) and nonalcoholic fresh fizzers made with high-quality ingredients. Get in the spirit with refreshing flavors (think hibiscus strawberry lemonade, tamarind, black raspberry and white pomegranate) serving up allll the health benies of bootch—like antioxidants for a healthy energy and immunity boost. And if bootch isn’t your thing, beer is on tap as well. Bottoms up!
Monster margaritas, cheesy ACPs and 12 different kinds of tacos. … Is this heaven? Because it sure tastes like it. Enter Mezcalito, which offers a unique Tex-Mex take on Mexican cuisine boasting a blend of bold, authentic and fresh flavors at three locations across NC, plus another one coming soon to Durham. Now more about those margaritas. … They’re legit as big as your head and come decked out with an assortment of toppings—from popsicles to watermelon on a stick to tamarind candy sticks. And they’re strong, so order up some quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and more to line your stomach.
Don’t worry, be hoppy. Belly up to the bar at this family-owned craft beer and wine shop (or pop a squat on the sunny patio) for a curated selection of over 25 local beers (plus prosecco) on tap—served by cicerones and sommeliers (!). Founded by Pavel and Kelly Chtcheprov, Bottle Theory features a tap system built by Pavel, a home brewer and engineer, that reduces waste and prevents brews from going flat. (Um, no flat beer? Yes, please!) Weekly events like trivia, free wine tastings and live music—plus weekly rotating food trucks—raise the bar even further. Our (bottle) theory? You’re gonna wanna stay awhile.
An ice cream a day keeps the summer humidity away! And this beloved locally owned ice cream shop in Wake Forest knows how to keep it cool. Best known for its soft serve cones, Dairy Depot offers a myriad of unique flavors (think butter cookie, maple, cotton candy and cinnamon bun—plus the classics), as well as sundaes, milkshakes and parfaits. And not to be missed are its signature Train Wrecks, aka essentially an elevated McFlurry-esque creation featuring ice cream with flavor, candy and fruit mix-ins. I scream, you scream…
They say not to go chasing waterfalls… but you’re definitely gonna wanna book it to Zebulon to chill at downtown’s newest neighborhood watering hole, The Fall Line, named after the elevation inland at which waterfalls begin to appear in creeks and rivers (Zebulon is located where the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions meet). Opened by local entrepreneurs Cyrus Stacey and Mike Lombardo (the latter owns DTR go-to Lucky B’s), the lowkey sip spot keeps things simple with a standard wine and beer list—plus mixed drinks and slushees—and rotating food trucks in a humble indoor/outdoor space. Cheers! thefalllineznc.com
Experience the Chapel Thrill in the best way possible—with a good cuppa joe. Located right on Franklin Street, this pop-up shop founded by a trio of UNC students is focused on uniting the Chapel Hill community via craveworthy cups (think coffee, espresso, tea) to a backdrop of local artist displays, plus tunes during its live music hours. The perfect blend, if you will. bluehousecafech.square.site
Hey there, hot stuff. This new java joint at RTP’s Alexandria Campus is “unlocking the DNA of coffee” by meeting all your coffee needs—from lattes to cold brews (made with Counter Culture beans). And if coffee just isn’t your cup of tea, there’s also hot, iced and chai tea opps to boost your spirits and gratify your taste buds. Morning bevs meet their match with breakfast pastries and egg bites, while lunch is made easy (and tasty!) with wraps, salads and bistro boxes (think of it like an adult Lunchable that’s totes acceptable to bring back to the office)—all served with a whole latte love. growcoffeenc.com
Live life on the sweet side at The Sweetest Thing’s new shop at MacGregor Square, where owner Melanie Brown is devoted to “baking” the world a better place one pastry at a time—everything from cakes and cupcakes to cookies and brownies. Not to be left out, gluten-free foodies can have their cake and eat it too thanks to the one or two GF ops on offer in the dessert case on the daily. So when you need a pick-me-up, stop by anytime from 10–6 Tuesday through Saturday and get chip-faced—no judgment! thesweetestthingsnc.com
“Uncork the culture” and decomplicate wine with Melanated Wine and Spirits, the first Black- and woman-owned wine brand in the Bull City. Founder Lashonda Fort-Modest knows you shouldn’t wine while drinking vino, so she’s upping the fine-wine fun factor by making it easier to sip and shop for varietals. Don’t know what you dig? Book a tasting to see which wines entice your taste buds. Need a sipping buddy? Check Melanated’s event calendar (think poetry nights, and paint and sips…) for opps to meet fellow wine lovers. Glasses up for #MelaNation! melanatedwine.com
The month of March is for the girls. With Raleigh recently ranking the No. 3 largest U.S. metro for women-owned businesses, our city continues to situate itself as a hub for thriving female-owned enterprises.
In celebration of our local fab females, we’ve compiled a list of can’t-miss women-owned businesses in Raleigh across all sectors—from hospitality and retail to fitness, art and more.
Food & Bev
Ajja 209 Bickett Blvd. Check out our coverage on Ajja here.
*Have or know of a woman-owned small business in Raleigh that isn’t on the list? Good news! We update this list on a regular basis. Email [email protected].
